Fast-rising Lord Byron has many options

Newmarket, England: Beating just two horses in the prep is seldom what is desired when a big race contender is getting ready for his task ahead. But when Gordon Lord Byron did just that in Ireland on March 8, it was a case of “job done”.

No horse can beat more than what is in opposition, and on this day just two ran against Gordon Lord Byron, who was a short-price favourite and sure won like an odds-on shot should.

Gordon Lord Byron disposed of his rivals with ease, as he made his move in the home stretch and smoothly passed them to score by just over three lengths. His runner-up was rated 89 and that is a far cry from Group One form. Incidentally, at the beginning of last year Gordon Lord Byron was rated on 88. Today he stands tall at 118, remarkable improvement in such short space of time.

This five-year-old gelding by Byron was a fast improving handicapper through the best part of last year. Then, when we went into the early autumn weeks, he left the handicapping ranks for good.

After winning a Listed race at York in late August, Gordon Lord Byron went for the Betfred Sprint (G1) at Haydock the following month, and ran a cracking good race to take second, beaten only three-quarters of a length by Society Rock. He next went for the Prix de la Foret (G1) on “Arc” day at Longchamp.

It was a bit of a challenge on testing ground. William Buick, who had ridden him at York (Richard Hughes was on board at Haydock) was back in the saddle and the pair ran out winners, passing the winning post one-and-a-half lengths in front of the confirmed mudlark Penitent. This win was worth €171,420 (Dh814,622). As a foal, Gordon Lord Byron was sold for just €2,000.

Trainer Tom Hogan gave him a two-month break after his success in Paris, which was his seventh from 24 runs, and then put him on a plane to Hong Kong. Gordon Lord Byron was having a crack at yet another big pot, in the Hong Kong Mile (G1) at Sha Tin.

An 11-1 chance in a field on 12 runners, he ran well again, but had to see three locally trained horses hit the line before he did; the strong favourite Ambitious Dragon, Glorious Days and Packing OK.

Gordon Lord Byron, again with Buick up, was prominent early but tired at bit through the last 200 metres.

That he can run so well over a mile, yet seems best over six and seven furlongs, is a great asset. It gives him options in the new season, which kicks off for real when he runs in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) on World Cup night.

— Geir Stabell is the editor of Newmarket-based Globeform.